Following the torrential downpour that ravaged major parts of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, a North Eastern Correspondent with The News Chronicle, Hassan Haruna has been trapped in the unfortunate incident.Â
Hassan who was on ground to report the sad events arising from the devastating flood that displaced thousands of residents, decried his inability to access other affected areas.
It was gathered that no fewer than 200 inmates have escaped after the ghastly flood that pulled down a prison wall in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
An official of the Nigerian Correctional Center in Maiduguri, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen on Tuesday September 10th that over 200 inmates escaped from the facility after a portion of the facility’s parameter fence was pulled down in the aftermath of the flood that submerged the city on Tuesday.
According to the source, some Boko Haram commanders held at the Maiduguri New Prison were among those who escaped.
“Part of the wall of the Maiduguri New Prison collapsed and some Boko Haram commanders held in our facility have escaped with other prisoners. Those who escaped are more than 200 in all. We were able to move 200 other inmates to a different facility.” The source added.
Meanwhile, contrary to the Borno State government’s earlier assurances, the flood situation in Maiduguri took a turn for the worse on Tuesday, just four days after officials claimed to have implemented comprehensive preventive steps.
When contacted the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abubakar Umar, regarding the issue, he said, “We’re taking stock across the country. I can speak to the press two hours from now, so please call me in the next two hours.”
